Anthem to buy Aspire Health, continuing industry trend

Indianapolis-based Anthem says it plans to buy a large palliative care provider, continuing a trend set by its competitors. The insurer announced on Wednesday it had entered into an agreement to acquire Aspire Health, the country's "largest nonhospice community-based palliative care provider," which serves 25 states and Washington, D.C. “Anthem is focused on enhancing our ability to offer innovative, integrated clinical care models that can improve the quality of healthcare and deliver better outcomes,” Gail K. Boudreaux, president, and CEO of the Anthem, said in a statement.